Welcome to my new blog! Before we set out on this journey, I want to talk with you about a big change that happened in my life. This change opened up room for growth and helped set a lot of the tone for my turquoise ‘baby.’

Until late 2011, I never imagined I would actually pull the trigger to take a giant leap forward on the path to enlighten my soul. That was, until December 2011 rolled around:

It was a pleasant day… no hard deadlines and nothing out of the ordinary happening… even though it was the holiday season in the Twin Cities. I was happily plugging away at my awesome job at Metromix Twin Cities (an online entertainment guide based out of KARE 11) and co-planning a killer New Year’s Eve party for the masses. Late in the afternoon, I received a phone call at my desk. A knot quickly formed in my stomach, but I disregarded it. That phone call turned into a punch in the stomach. I was hit… hard. It was so hard, I didn’t feel the first impact, but then a, sore, lingering ache vibrated through my body. Warm, heavy tears filled my eyes; I couldn’t hold them in. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. I was numb… raw.

“Metromix has been shut down, and you have lost your job.”

That sentence changed my life path. Everything I had dreamed of (my Mom worked at KARE 11 for 18 years), worked for (started as a data-entry gal and moved up to lead producer and editor) and believed I wanted, was over at the end of 2011.

Or so I thought…or so we all think when these “bad” things happen…

When a door slams shut, it hurts so badly at first. I know many of you have felt this scary, icky feeling. I can truly say I had never been so shocked in my entire life. Being forced to change is not always easy for me. In fact, the unknown is downright scary. Especially for a girl that has a brain on overdrive, likes to over-think every little detail and gets sent into a tizzy when she can’t control everything. So, the thoughts that were running through my mind ranged from panic to calm to shock and back to calm again. Yet, In the depths of those manic thoughts, I knew that the sense of calm was going to have to win.

That sense of calmness also came from an understanding that I wasn’t mad about losing my job. I loved everything about that job (the people, the pride, and the fact that I was actually recognized for doing great work). Better things were opening up for me (better than all those amazing things? I am still excited at the possibilities). As I believe they do for all people in these circumstances… but you have to believe this to be true… that is the key.

A door closed. Others are opening… where am I being pulled to?

I honestly still do not know. I find it really difficult to answer the questions (and always have for some reason):

{“What are you going to do now?”}

{“What kind of jobs are you looking for?”}

{“What’s next?”}

I can’t say for sure, but what I do know is that I have to follow my heart. I absolutely know that sounds SO cliche and generic… but that’s where I need to start. I have to… there is no other choice!

I hope I can inspire others to believe that you can follow your heart and get everything you’ve dreamed of (happiness, a bazillion hours of vacation time, flexibility, fulfillment, endless ice cream, and all those other wonderful things that make life worth living!)… because that is exactly what I plan on doing.

Do you agree? Will you strive to believe, follow your truth and have your heart guide you to what’s next on your amazing journey? I hope you will, because I am giving it my best shot. The door at Metromix may have shut for good (no more opening that one because all of the national broadcast divisions were shut down)… so now it’s time to open some others.

Here are some happy truths that have sent sparks flying in both my personal and professional life that have come recently just from keeping doors open! So far, in the 30 days of 2012, I have been given:

a plane ticket to an amazing destination that will help me personally and professionally

the opportunity to start a heart-centered blog that I’ve been dreaming of

{What have you been given?}

{What amazing opportunities do you see for 2012?}

There are so many if you choose to see them!

Alrighty then… {thank you for taking the time to read this post}… I am starting this blog because…

My heart is telling me so! Alright, alright… and, because I want to share my love of the American West through inspiring photography, my travel experiences, stories that others have experienced, places to explore, travel meditations and anything else my heart comes up with!

I also want this blog to help me accept myself, my life path, my journey. And while doing just that, I want to help you accept yourself, your life path, your journey… whatever that may be. Life is going to be so much more fun if you live authentically! Wanna give it a go with me?

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I let you know where my plane ticket is taking me… so excited!

editor’s fun fact of the day:a little more background on the name of my blog…

Turquoise is a stone with properties that helps us understand ourselves and to bring our ideas and emotions under control so we can see them become fruitful in our reality. It helps you stop and listen, be still and be ready to hear the truth about who and what you are. Only then will you obtain your full power.Honored by the native Americans as a sacred stone, the gemstone absorbs negativity, transmuting it into useful energy. It also helps you to become one with the universe.